Record setting spring impacting local farmers

June 08, 2010|Rachel Brougham 439-9348 - rbrougham@petoskeynews.com

Scott Hatfield spent part of Monday picking strawberries at Coveyou Scenic Farm in Petoskey. Manager David Coveyou said his strawberry crop is about two weeks early this year, because of record setting warm temperatures this spring.

Local farmers are feeling the effect of a record setting spring.

While many crops will be early and plentiful because of the recent warm temperatures, other crops are suffering.

“This is the warmest spring we’ve had in Northern Michigan in the past 100 years,” said Mike Boguth, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Gaylord. “Just looking at the numbers across the board, it truly has been a remarkable spring.”

Boguth said many areas shattered their all-time spring temperature records — some by several degrees.

According the National Weather Service, the spring of 2010 was officially the warmest, least snowy and driest in 100 years.

When told about the report from the National Weather Service, Bill McMaster of Bill’s Farm Market in Petoskey, laughed and said, “I’d agree with that 100 percent.”

McMaster opened his farm market for the season on Friday, June 4, and that wasn’t soon enough.

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“It was amazing, our arugula, spinach and lettuce were ready before we even opened last week,” McMaster said. “I’d say a lot of crops are a good two weeks ahead of schedule.”

McMaster credits his irrigation system for making sure his crops received enough water throughout the spring. He watered more in April and May than ever before.

At Coveyou Scenic Farm just south of Petoskey, strawberries are also two weeks early.

“This is definitely the earliest year I can remember to pick strawberries,” said manager, David Coveyou.

Coveyou said one of the concerns with warm springs is the potential for frost damaging sensitive crops.

“We were able to protect the strawberry blossoms, but I feel other growers may not have been as lucky,” Coveyou said.

In Charlevoix, Raker’s Cherry Orchard was hit by a short cold snap in May.

“The frost pretty much took care of a lot of the crop,” said Vera Raker. “The cherry blossoms bloomed early and then frost wiped them out.”

Raker estimates about a quarter of their crop was lost.

State agricultural experts believe overall, up to 50 percent of the state’s cherry crop may have been damaged.

Michigan apple, pear and blueberry crops also suffered, which could mean higher prices for consumers this summer and fall.

Bob Tritten, a district fruit educator for Michigan State University Extension, estimated that about 30 to 40 percent of the apple crop was lost, along with 40 percent of the blueberry crop and up to 70 percent of the pear crop.

McMaster said it’s not uncommon for some crops suffer while others thrive each season. And he believes this will still be a good summer for many Michigan farmers.

“You know the saying, ‘Corn should be knee high by the Fourth of July,’” McMaster asked. “Well, I’m going to say it might be twice that by then. It looks like a good season overall.”

Scott Hatfield spent part of Monday picking strawberries at Coveyou Scenic Farm in Petoskey. Manager David Coveyou said his strawberry crop is about two weeks early this year, because of record setting warm temperatures this spring.